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Related Concept Videos

The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

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DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
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The Nucleosome02:33

The Nucleosome

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No description available
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The Nucleosome01:19

The Nucleosome

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Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
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Nucleosome Remodeling02:54

Nucleosome Remodeling

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Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
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The Nucleosome Core Particle02:10

The Nucleosome Core Particle

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Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
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The Nucleosome Core Particle01:12

The Nucleosome Core Particle

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Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their primary aim is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. On the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access histone-bound DNA during...
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Author Spotlight: Efficient Nucleosome Reconstitution for Single-Molecule Techniques
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Transcribing through the nucleosome.

Sheila S Teves, Christopher M Weber, Steven Henikoff

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    |December 3, 2014
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins, forms nucleosomes that block transcription. This review explores how the RNA polymerase II machinery bypasses these barriers in vivo.

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    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Epigenetics
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • DNA is packaged into chromatin, with nucleosomes as the fundamental unit.
    • Nucleosomes pose a significant barrier to DNA transcription in vitro.
    • Understanding how transcription machinery navigates nucleosomes in vivo is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the nature of the nucleosomal barrier to transcription.
    • To highlight recent findings on transcription through nucleosomes.
    • To elucidate the mechanisms of in vivo transcription through chromatin.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of recent findings in chromatin biology.
    • Analysis of mechanisms governing transcription factor and RNA polymerase II interaction with nucleosomes.
    • Synthesis of current understanding of nucleosome penetration during transcription.

    Main Results:

    • Nucleosomes present a physical obstacle to transcription machinery.
    • Various factors and protein complexes are involved in facilitating transcription through nucleosomes.
    • Recent studies reveal dynamic nucleosome remodeling and displacement mechanisms.

    Conclusions:

    • Transcription through nucleosomes is a complex process involving coordinated actions of multiple factors.
    • Overcoming the nucleosomal barrier is essential for gene expression in vivo.
    • Further research is needed to fully understand the high-speed transcription through chromatin.